# General Overview

A tapped hole is a drilled hole that has internal threads cut into it so a screw or bolt can be directly threaded into the material without using a nut.

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</div>## How It Works

1. A hole is drilled to a specific size (called a tap drill size)
2. A tool called a **tap** is used to cut threads inside the hole
3. A screw or bolt can then be threaded directly into the material

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</div>## Why FRC Teams Use Tapped Holes

Tapped holes are useful because they:

- Eliminate the need for a nut on the back side
- Save space in tight assemblies
- Reduce part count
- Allow clean, compact mounting points

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</div>## Common Applications

- Mounting sensors
- Attaching small brackets
- Light structural connections
- Situations where access to the back side is impossible

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</div>## Limitations

- Threads can strip if over-tightened
- Not as strong as bolt-and-nut connections in high-load areas
- Requires correct drill size and careful tapping

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</div>## Best Practice

- Always use the correct tap drill size
- Start tapping slowly and keep it straight
- Use cutting fluid when possible
- Avoid over-tightening screws in aluminum

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</div>## Key Idea

A tapped hole allows a screw to thread directly into a material, making it useful for compact and lightweight FRC designs, but it must be used carefully to avoid stripping threads.